University urges students to seek help, counseling

In response to a public student suicide Wednesday, IU officials are urging students to seek counseling in times of grief or depression.

Students can schedule an appointment with IU’s Counseling and Psychological Services at the Health Center, 600 N. Jordan Ave., said CAPS Director Nancy Stockton. CAPS also accepts walk-in appointments Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours, Stockton urged students to call their 24/7 hot line at 855-5711.

Students should “look after each other” and look for hints that their friends or roommates are depressed, Stockton said. If someone is sad, isolated or continues to turn down requests to do certain activities, they might be in need of help, Stockton said. 

Other ways students can combat stress or depression is to participate in physical exercise and go to the CAPS Web site, www.healthcenter.indiana.edu/CAPS.html, and listen to stress management.

The University might offer counseling services to students who saw the body of Donald Kidwell, found dead Wednesday afternoon near Eigenmann Hall.

Several students who live in Eigenmann saw the body.

Freshmen and Eigenmann residents Johnny Lorey and Drew Mangold saw the body early Wednesday afternoon.

Mangold said he was smoking a cigarette outside of his dorm at about 2:30 p.m. when he noticed the police and students near the train tracks. He went to go see what was going on and saw Kidwell’s body.

Mangold said he does not think he is traumatized by what he saw, but he said it was shocking to see the body.

Mangold and Lorey both said they have not yet considered going to counseling.

Dean of Students Dick McKaig said Residential Programs and Services is in contact with CAPS to determine if a group session is necessary for those students who witnessed the body.

McKaig said the session could happen as early as Thursday if students request to have one.